Structure of a paging receiver and a message data storage control method

Abstract: The present invention is a paging receiver comprising: a first storing means for storing body data of the message data in a memory slot specified by a memory slot number set in the overhead; a second storing means for storing storage methods of the body data for respective memory slots in the first storing means; and a control means for selecting a storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in the overhead among memory data stored in the second storing means and storing the body data in the first storing means in a selected storage method.

Description: The present invention relates to a paging receiver, especially an art for controlling storage method of body data in a message data. A prior generally known paging receiver is explained using Fig. 4. In this figure, 100 is a reception antenna for receiving radio calling signals. 200 is a receiving section for demodulating received signals. 300 is a decoder for decoding demodulated signals and comparing them with the ID numbers of the receiver itself (own ID numbers). 400 is a CPU for controlling received message data. 500 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for storing one or more own ID numbers of the receiver itself. 600 is a display section for displaying received message data. 700 is a RAM for storing received message data. 800 is an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for storing storage methods of the received message data into the RAM 700 for each ID number. Next, operations of a paging receiver configured as above are explained. First of all, radio calling signals received with the reception antenna 100 are demodulated in the receiving section 200, and input to the decoder 300. Then, the decoder 300 compares them with own ID numbers. If having coincided them each other, the decoder 300 sends message data that are sent continuously to the CPU 400. Next, operations of the CPU 400 is explained using Fig.5, a flow chart. When storing message data for the receiver itself into the RAM 700, the CPU 400 selects a storage method presented by the ID number of the received message data among storage methods for respective ID numbers stored in the EEPROM 800 (Step 15). Then the CPU 400, based on a selected storage method, additionally stores the received message data into the RAM 700 or replaces it with the pre-stored message data (Step 16 to Step22). Where, the meaning of "additionally store" is to shift the order of reading out of the pre-stored message data in the RAM 700 one by one and store message data so as to enable to firstly read out the latest message data, as shown in Step 17 to Step 20. At this time, if the RAM 700 is full, the oldest message data is deleted. That is, "additionally store" is a method for realizing reading out of message data from new to old in RAM 700. Also "replacement of message data" means that if a message data of the same ID number as that of pre-stored message data is received the pre-stored message data of the same ID number is deleted and the latest message data is stored in the RAM 700, using that the RAM 700 stores not only message data but also ID numbers thereof, as shown in Step 21 to Step 22. Next, a paging receiver disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No.7446 (1989) is explained as another example. This paging receiver comprises a storing means for storing a message data with a functional data representing significance of the message data and a display means for displaying the message data based on the functional data. When displaying the message data, this paging receiver displays the significance of the data represented by the functional data, such as "urgent" or "ordinary". Moreover, there is another example of a paging receiver which is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.1758274 (1991). Using ID numbers and function specification numbers that are inserted in a message data, this paging receiver classifies a number of received data to store only the latest message for a group such as stock information. In these prior paging receiver, data transmission side can not specify to delete, replace, combine or revise a data in the RAM (message data storing section) of the receiver. This means that control operations of received data must be born by the reception side, so unnecessary data exist in the receiver unless a user of the receiver deletes data or selects the latest data. Such operations are troublesome for the user. Presently, even a paging receiver that enables to specify to replace received data among the above-mentioned paging receivers also can manage only one data for an own ID number. EP-A1-0 393 793 relates to a paging system comprising a central transmitter and a number of portable paging receivers. By suitable command of the central transmitter by input means the transmitter is able to transmit a transmission signal which comprises an address, a message destination data and a message. If a paging receiver receives such transmission signal and the address contained therein is identical to an address allocated and stored in advance in a memory of said receiver the receiver may store the message contained in said transmission signal in a specific reserved memory location determined by the message destination data contained in said transmission signal. Each of a number of such memory locations of the receiver is intended to be allocated to a specific message type. Any message stored in the receiver memory can be selected to be displayed. It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems. Moreover, the other objects of the present invention are to provide a paging receiver enabling to handle message data storage methods in data transmission side. Furthermore, the other objects of the present invention are to provide a paging receiver enabling to control a plurality of message data with an ID number. The above objects are achieved by a paging receiver for receiving a message data in which an overhead is inserted, comprising: a first storing means for storing body data of the message data in a memory slot specified by a memory slot number set in the overhead; a second storing means for storing storage methods of the body data for respective memory slots in the first storing means; and a control means for selecting a storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in the overhead among memory data stored in the second storing means and storing the body data in the first storing means in a selected storage method. In a paging receiver configured as above, if a transmitter transmits a message data with specification of a memory slot number of the first storing means in the paging receiver, for example the transmitter transmits a message data with specification of memory slot number 1 that means "replacement" stored in the second storing means in the paging receiver, a pre-stored data in the memory slot number 1 is deleted and newly received data is stored in the first storing means. Described as above, the present invention enables a data transmitter to delete, replace, revise pre-stored data or combine a newly sending data with a specified pre-stored data. Without operations for selecting new data by the receiver's user, it is possible not to exist unnecessary data in the paging receiver, so the user is free from any troublesome operations. Therefore, it becomes possible to reliably send only latest data to the receiver. In addition, data combination can be conducted freely by a transmitter, so the problem that a long data can not be sent by limitations in the transmission side can be solved because split-transmission of a long data can be possible. This and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and drawings. Fig.1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.2 shows a format of message data of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.3 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.4 is a block diagram of a prior paging receiver. Fig.5 is a flow chart showing a prior storing method of received data into a received data memory. The embodiments of the present invention are explained below. Fig.1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a reception antenna for receiving radio calling signals. 2 is a receiving section for demodulating received radio calling signals. 3 is a decoder for decoding modulated signals. And it compares decoded data with own ID numbers. For example, it is made of BU61101K produced by NEC Corporation. 4 is a CPU for controlling received message data, it is made of a 4-bit chip of 75X series produced by NEC Corporation. 5 is the first EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) for storing one or more own ID numbers. 6 is a display section for displaying body data of received message data. 7 is a RAM for storing body data of received message data. This RAM 7 has 40 memory slots totally. In these memory slots, slots of memory slot numbers 1 to 20 are configured so as to conduct memory control by specifying a memory slot number, and slots of memory slot numbers 21 to 40 are configured for storing message data without specification of a memory slot number. 8 is the second EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). Each storage method of body data into the RAM 7 for each memory slot number among memory slot number 1 to memory slot number 20 in the RAM 7, one storage method of replacement or combination for example, is stored in this EEPROM 8. Where, "replacement" means to delete a body data pre-stored in the RAM 7 and store body data of a received latest message data into the RAM7. In addition, "combination" means to combine body data of the received latest message data back to that of one of pre-stored message data in the RAM 7 and store it in the RAM 7. Next, a format of message data used in the embodiment of the present invention is explained. Fig.2 shows a format of message data of the embodiment. As shown in Fig.2, the overhead a is placed ahead of the body data b in this format of this message data. At the first byte of the overhead a, 01h that represents overhead is set. In second byte to third byte, memory slot numbers for storing body data b are set. Setting these memory slot numbers is conducted as below, for example, 30h+31h is set if the memory slot number is 1, 30h+32h if the memory slot number is 2 and 32h+30h if the memory slot number is 20. In addition, 01h that indicates change of storage method is set at fourth byte when a storage method is changed. If fourth byte is other than 01h, it means that there is no change of storage method and it is first byte of body data. Then, a storage method of body data is set at five byte. For example, 31h is set if the storage method is "combine" or 32h is set if the storage method is "replacement". Next, operations of the paging receiver configured as above is explained. Fig.3 is a flow chart showing operations of an embodiment of the present invention. First of all, when having received data for the receiver itself (Step 1 and Step 2), the CPU 4 checks whether or not an overhead, that is 01h, is set in the received message data also checks whether or not a memory slot number is specified (Step 3 and Step 4). When any overhead is not set or a memory slot number 20 or larger is set even if an overhead is set, the CPU 4 stores received body data into memory slot number 21 in the RAM 7 and shifts storage places of body data pre-stored in memory slot numbers 21 to 39 respectively +1. At this time, the pre-stored body data in memory slot number 40 is deleted (Step 5 and Step 6). If the memory slot number is 20 or less in Step 4, checking operation, that checks whether or not storage method for body data is specified, is conducted (Step 7). If there is no specification for the storage method, a storage method of specified memory slot number is read out from the EEPROM 8 (Step 8). If the specified memory slot number is 2 and the storage method of memory slot number 2 is "combination", for example, the received body data is combined back to the body data pre-stored in the memory slot number 2 (Step 11). If there is a specification for the storage method, the specified storage method is stored in the EEPROM 8 (Step 9) and the received body data is stored by the specified storage method. If the specified memory slot number is 2 and the specified storage method is "replacement", for example, the storage method of the memory slot number 2 stored in the EEPROM 8 is deleted and "replacement" is stored instead. Moreover, the body data of the specified memory slot number is deleted and the received body data is stored (Step 13). It is to be noted that if there is no body data or there are only spaces, the stored body data is deleted and storage is not conducted (Step 12 and Step 14).

Claims: A paging receiver comprising: a receiving means (2) for receiving a selective calling signal including a message data in which an overhead is inserted and an ID number; an ID number storing means (5) for storing own ID numbers; a decoder (3) for comparing an ID number of received selective calling signal with own ID numbers and for ingesting said message data following to said ID number when said ID number of said received selective calling signal and one of said own ID numbers are coincident; a first storing means (7) for storing a body data of said message data at a location of a memory slot number specified by a memory slot number set in said overhead; a second storing means (8) for storing storage methods of said body data for respective memory slot numbers in said first storing means; and a control means (4) for selecting a storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead among memory data stored in said second storing means and for storing said body data with a selected storage method in said first storing means. The paging receiver of claim 1, characterized in that said second storing means (8) stores one storage method of replacement that replaces a pre-stored body data in said first storing means with a newly received body data and combination that combines a pre-stored body data in said first storing means and a newly received body data for each memory slot of said first memory means. The paging receiver of claim 1 or 2, wherein when data indicating a storage method of said body data is further set in said overhead, said second storing means (8) changes storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead to a storage method indicated by said data. The paging receiver of claim 1 or 2, wherein when data indicating a storage method of said body data is further set in said overhead, said control means (4) instructs said second storing means to change said storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead to said storage method indicated by said data, and instructs said first storing means to store said body data with said storage method indicated by said data. The paging receiver of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first storing means (7) controls preset memories using memory slot numbers and controls other memories so as to enable to firstly read a latest body data by shifting pre-stored body data at each time of storing a body data. The paging receiver of claim 5, characterized in that said control means (4) judges whether or not a memory slot number is set in said overhead, and if a memory slot number is not set in said overhead said control means (4) makes memories that are not controlled by memory slot numbers in said first storing means store said body data. A paging receiver, comprising: a receiving means (2) for receiving a selective calling signal including a message data in which an overhead is inserted and an ID number; an ID number storing means (5) for storing own ID numbers; a decoder (3) for comparing an ID number of received selective calling signal with own ID numbers and for ingesting said message data following to said ID number when said ID number of said received selective calling signal and one of said own ID numbers are coincident; a first storing means (7) for storing a body data of said message data at a memory slot number specified by a memory slot number set in said overhead; a second storing means (8) for storing one storage method of replacement that replaces a pre-stored body data in said first storing means with a newly received body data and combination that combines a pre-stored body data in said first storing means and a newly received body data for each memory slot number of said first memory means, and when data indicating a storage method of said body data is further set in said overhead, for deleting storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead and for newly storing said storage method indicated by said data; and a control means (4) for selecting a storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead among memory data stored in said second storing means and for storing said body data with a selected storage method in said first storing means, and when data indicating a storage method of said body data is further set in said overhead, for instructing said second storing means to change said storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead to said storage method indicated by said data, and for making said first storing means store said body data with said storage method indicated by said data. The paging receiver of claim 7, characterized in that said first storing means (7) controls preset memories using memory slot numbers and controls other memories so as to enable to firstly read a latest body data by shifting pre-stored body data at each time of storing a body data. The paging receiver of claim 7 or 8, wherein said control means (4) judges whether or not a memory slot number is set in said overhead, and if a memory slot number is not set in said overhead said control means makes memories that are not controlled by memory slot numbers in said first storing means store said body data. A message data storage control method, comprising: (a) step of modifying message data to provide an overhead adjacent to a body data, wherein said overhead is set memory slot numbers for storing said body data, and transmitting said message data; (b) step of setting a storage method of said body data for each memory number storing body data of said message data in a reception side; and (c) step of selecting a storage method corresponding to a memory slot number set in said overhead of a received message data from among storage methods indicated by respective memory slot numbers and storing body data of said received message data in a selected storing method. The message data storage control method of claim 10, characterized in that said step (a) further comprises a step of setting a changing data for indicating change of preset storage method of body data in said overhead which is adjacent to said memory slot number. The message data storage control method of claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said step (b) sets one of storage method of replacement that replaces a pre-stored body data in said first storing means with a newly received body data and combination that combines a pre-stored body data in said first storing means and a newly received body data for each said memory slot. The method of claim 10, 11 or 12, characterized in that said step (c) changes a preset storage method corresponding to said memory slot number to a storage method indicated by said changing data and storing said body data in a changed storing method when said changing data is set in said over head adjacent memory slot number.

Inventors: HIROSHI ONO, HIROSHI, ONO, HIROSHI, ONO, C/O NEC CORPORATION
Applicants: NIPPON ELECTRIC CO, NEC CORPORATION
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G08B5
IPC codes: H04Q7, G08B5